iKnow Devon
Paignton Accommodation
Paignton's excellent family friendly beach, with Paignton Pier in background
Family holiday shopping Paignton style. A great English Riviera family hotspot
Paignton & Dartmouth Steam Railway, family fun on the English Riviera
Great family seaside amusements and rides on Paignton Pier, PaigntonPaignton Tourist Information Zoo Waterpark Steam Railway Devon
The great thing about Torbay's three main hotspots Torquay, Paignton and Brixham is that they complement other with their different focus and themes. Paignton is most definitely a Devon family holiday hotspot with a choice of family entertainment including superb sandy beaches, a large waterpark, a charming steam railway featuring Thomas the Tank Engine, and a lively seafront, lots of great shops in Paignton town centre, the obligatory seaside pier and holiday parks and a range of Devon Accommodation choices.
Paignton Zoo is rather popular as well. Paignton's family holiday effect can be best described as 'mini southwest Blackpool'. It's easy on the pocket as well - cheap, cheerful good family seaside holiday fun with lots going on. They have Paignton Illuminations as well!
Family Holidays - Paignton Zoo & Quaywest Waterpark
Paignton Zoo is a key Devon family holiday attraction in Paignton and stretches across a 75 acre site with an array of animals, many of which are endangered. Specifically there are over 250 exotic animal species, and 70 of these are endangered. Lots to see across several habitat zones including Savannah, Tropical Forest and Wetland Zones. Everything from African Elephants to Chilean Flamingos - it's all here. The created landscapes are also fascinating for their collection of plants. Expect to see some exotic stuff here. Paignton Zoo is involved in various conservation projects internationally, and there is an emphasis on education with a large education centre. There's a restaurant, bar and conference room on-site, plus Paignton Zoo has adapted for business, and you can have your wedding reception, dinner dance or celebratory event here - there's a thought!
Paignton Zoo is open all year round until 6pm. Last admission is 5pm. (except Christmas Day). Doors open to the Zoo at 10 am every day but doors close at varying times according to the season and light. Do check the web link to the right to make sure of opening times on the day of your visit. In the Winter Paignton Zoo is open from 10 am. to 4.30pm. (dusk if earlier). Last admission is 3.30pm. We are open from 10 am. to 6 pm. in the summer months, with last admission at 5pm. Paignton Zoo Environmental Park, Totnes Road, Paignton, Devon, TQ4 7EU. Tel: 01803 697500.
Quaywest Waterpark gives real credence to Paignton as a superb South Devon family holiday favourite. Quaywest is a pretty flash waterpark, with all it's water nicely heated to 80 degrees centigrade so it's nice and warm for the tots to compensate for the urr cooler English weather! Whats on offer - way hey Wild Kamikaze rides, or gentler surfing lagoon anyone? There's a variety of flumes and tubes, pools and various out of the water entertainment. The Devils Drop ride has a 65' freefall (part of which is through a blackhole!)- gadzooks! On the less hell-raising side, opt for the tube rides which include the Raging Rapids. This Devon Waterpark caters for children of all ages. For the younger tots there's a submarine play area and the Toon Town Pool - whoppee!! For general swimming, what superb choice you have of safe pools for both children and adults, and Quaywest Waterpark is right next to Goodrington Beach.
As you'd expect at a fully equipped family waterpark there are plenty of food outlets with anything from hotdogs, burgers, ice cream and fish and chips. You can bring your own picnics as well, but no alchohol or glass containers allowed. All day tickets are very reasonably priced at under £10 per person, with some great family ticket deals. Two hour tickets are also available at a cheaper price. They do birthday parties here as well. The package includes all day admission to the Waterpark plus a BBQ lunch. For Birthday parties telephone group sales on 01803 555550 for details. The Water Park is open from the 28th May until 5th September, 10am- 6pm May. Quaywest Waterpark, Goodrington Sands, Paignton, Devon. TQ4 6LN. Tel: 01803 550034.
Isadora Duncan and Oldway Mansion, Paignton
We are fed nothing but lies. It begins with lies and half our lives we live with lies"". Said Isadora Duncan who revolutionised the dance world with her bare feet and loose hair. Duncan is often referred to as a key influence on the birth of modern dance. Isadora Duncan connection with Paignton is primarily through her untimely death in 1927. Mythologised somewhat, she died in a car accident on the English Riviera when her scarf caught in the wheel. She was the mistress (Duncan abhorred marriage, commenting ""So that ends my first experience with matrimony, which I always thought a highly overrated performance"") of Singer tycoon Isaac Merritt Singer who owned the sprawling mansion Oldway in Paignton.
Oldway Mansion is open to the public from Mondays to Saturdays, 9am-5pm, and Sundays 2-5pm during the summer months. It's free to get in as well, and there's some rather interesting Singer sewing machines on display - bonus. The garish neoclassical architecture is well worth a look as is the surrounding Italian garden, with accompany stone sphinxes and a croquet lawn. A must do for kitsch lovers. Incidentally,
Oldway Mansion, Torquay Road, Paignton. Tel: 01803 207930
Paignton & Dartmouth Steam Railway
The exquisite Torbay coastline is best explored by hopping on one of the great family Devon day out steam trains. The Paignton & Dartmouth seven mile journey takes you along the Torbay coastline, then on through Churston, up through glorious woodland to Kingswear. The sea views are simply amazing on this journey - it's a must - sea views can been seen right across Lyme Bay to Portland Bill on clear days! Take in the River Dart, then all the way down to Dartmouth - it's a fabulous trip with a difference on a steam train!
There's a local authority car park near to the little Paignton steam railway station, or 200 yards away at Paignton's main station. Choose from a range of Days Out specials, including old favourite Thomas the Tank Engine Friends Weekend, or a Round Robin Tour. Or how about Santa's Steam Special at Christmas, or - spook - Halloween Specials.
Paignton & Dartmouth Steam Railway, Dart Valley Railway plc, Queen’s Park Station, Torbay Road, Paignton, Devon TQ4 6AF. Tel : (01803) 555872
Paignton Beaches and other Attractions
There are five choice beaches in Paignton. The English Riviera certainly doesn't disappoint for great family holiday Devon Beaches. The pick of the bunch includes Goodridge Sands Beach which is ideally placed adjacent to Quaywest Waterpark. There's some great rockpooling to be had on this beach as well.
Check out also Paignton Beach, the main long sandy beach with ample amusements, cafes, restaurants and car parking, plus deckchairs and all the rest. Don’t forget to look in on the fabulous amusement haven, Paignton Pier, which has lots of rides for the tots and is crammed with amusements for good all round family fun! Paignton Pier, Paignton Sands, Paignton, Devon TQ4 6BW. Tel: 01803 522139.
Other Paignton Beaches include Preston Sands, Broadsands and Elberry Cove. Elberry Cove is a delightful little shingle beach with superb woodland walks nearby. Check the web link to the right for further details on Paignton's excellent choice of Devon Beaches.
Paignton has a delightful theatre - The Palace Theatre, which has a real community feel about it, and regularly shows Agatha Christie plays, including recently 'The Unexpected Guest'. There's always a choice of drama, musical shows and comedy here at the Palace Theatre in Paignton. Well worth taking in a show whilst in Paignton. The Palace Theatre, Palace Avenue, Paignton. Tel: 01803 665800.
Paignton Tourist Information Centre
Paignton Tourist Information Centre, Esplanade Road, Paignton, TQ4 6ED. Wheelchair access. Open in the Summer from 9.30-5.30pm (Mon-Sat), 10am-4pm (Sun). In the Winter from 9.30-5pm (Mon-Sat).
